Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2~99~9
S~OP ASSEMBLY FOR A VALVE
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Backqround Of The Invention
A. Field of The Invention
Thi~ invention relates primarily to valves which
s control the mix of hot and cold water. ~he invention
appears best suited to providin~ a valve wherein the full
hot limit of the valve can be easily ad~usted.
B. DescriPtion Of The Art
It is desirable to conserve energy by setting water ;~
temperature maximum at the lowest temperature acceptable to
the user. Because of differences and variability in water
heater systems, and differences in consumer preferences,
only a rough ad~ustment can be made at the factory. The
final ad~u~tment must be made after the valve is installed. ~ -
This iq preferably something that can be changed from time - --
to time without requiring the disassembly of the valve
components and without the need for special tools and
special plumbing skills. This might be particularly - -
desirable in an apartment building so that an adjustment can
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be made when new tenants mo~e in. -~
U.S. patents 4,387,880; 4,423,752; 4,813,455 and
German patent 28 15 990 show various stop systems for - ~-
valves. These systems rely upon a radial pro~ectLon from a
rotatable valve stem abutting against a pro~ection from the
valve housing or cap. However, these systems either do not
allow for easy tempera~ure adjustment or involve other -
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complex multicomponent devices, or require use of parts
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which are susceptible to wear or breakage.
Thus, it can be seen that a need exists for an
improved valve stop system.
Summary of The Invention
The invention provides a stop assembly for use ;:`~
with a valve having a rotatable valve stem that projects
through a covering element, comprising a projection means
on the covering element forming a first stop and a second
stop, said first and second stops being located on an
escutcheon, a first stop ring mounted around the valve .
stem adjacent the covering element, adapted to rotate when
the stem rotates, and having two stop surfaces extending .
radially therefrom, a second stop ring mounted around the
valve stem adjacent the covering element adapted to rotate
when the stem rotates and having at least one stop face
extending radially therefrom, interfitment means which can
adjustably fix the circumferential position of the stop -
surface relative to the stop face, and the parts being
juxtaposed such that upon stem rotation a first stop
surface can contact the first stop to define a first
rotational limit in one rotational direction, and the stop
face can cut out the other of the stop surfaces so as to
define an adjustable second rotational limit in one
rotational direction opposite to the first.
The present invention also provides a stop
assembly for use with a valve having a rotatable valve
stem that projects through a covering element, comprising
a projection means on the covering element forming a first
stop and a second stop, a first stop ring mounted around .
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the valve stem adjacent the covering element, adapted to :
rotate when the stem rotates, and having two stop surfaces
extending radially therefrom, a second stop ring mounted
around the valve stem adjacent the covering element
adapted to rotate when the stem rotates and having at
least one stop face extending radially therefrom,
interfitment means which can adjustably fix the
circumferential position of the stop surface relative to
the stop face said interfitment means including outer
teeth on the first stop ring and engage inner teeth on the ` ~ -~
second stop ring, and the parts being juxtaposed such that
upon stem rotation a first stop surface can contact the
first stop to define a first rotational limit in one ~ !, ` `,' '
rotational direction, and the stop face can cut out the ..
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other of the stop surfaces to define an adjustable second
rotational limit in one rotational direction opposite to
the first.
The present invention further provides a stop
assembly for use with a valve having a rotatable valve
stem that projects through a stationary covering element,
comprising a projection means on the stationary covering : .
element forming a first stop and a second stop, a first ~:~
stop ring mounted around the valve stem adjacent the
covering element, adapted to rotate when the stem rotates,
and having two stop surfaces extending radially therefrom,
a second stop ring mounted around the valve stem adjacent
the covering element adapted to rotate when the stem ~ -
rotates and having at least one stop face extending
radially therefrom, one of said first and second stop
rings being connected to an escutcheon by an elastic ring
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member, interfitment means which can adjustably fix the
circumferential position of the stop surface relative to
the stop face, and the parts being juxtaposed such that
upon stem rotation a first stop surface can contact the
first stop to define a first rotational limit in one -.
rotational direction, and the stop face can cut out the
other of the stop surfaces so a to define an adjustable
second rotational limit in one rotational direction
opposite to the first.
The stop of this invention
a. is readily accessible;
b. can provide for multiple stop functions for
the valve member;
c. can be manufactured with few parts;
d. results in the stop stresses being split
between two rings, and
e. is adaptable to various valve types.
These and still other features and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the description which
follows.
Brief Description Of The Drawinqs
Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, with a
portion broken away, showing an escutcheon and a valve
operating
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handle for use in conjunction with an embodiment of the
invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the valve
parts constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged frontal view of Fig. 1, with the
handle of Fig. 1 removed;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
Fig. 5;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of ""',.;,,'!'::
Fig. 3; ;A~, ~.,', ~'`',,,
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view similar to
Fig. 2, showing an alternative embodiment of the present ~ ~ ~
invention; ~ --
Fig. 7 is a view in partial section of the assembled
e~bodiment shown in Fig. 6; and
Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of
Fig. 7.
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Description Of The Preferred Embodiments
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the valve stop assembly,
generally 10, is shown in conjunction with a pressure
compensating mixing valve generally 11 of the type describe~ .
in U.S. patent 3,724,480 (which teachings are incorporated
herein by reference)~ It includes a handle 14 for
attachment to a stem driver 16 by means of self-~apping
screws 17 passing through holes 18 in the handle and int3
self tapping openings 19. A cover 20 is provided for ca~
22, the cover being wedged onto ledge 23. Stem driver l;
rotatably retained in escutcheon 25 by the flange porti^
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27 and 28 engaging :he floor portion 29 in the cavity 30, by
the elastic seal ring 32 at the opposinq side which is held
in annular groove 35, and by a close frictional fit of the
stem driver 16 through opening 33.
The stem driver 16 has external teeth 34 for receiving
the internal teeth 36 of the adjustment stop ring 37 when ~
stop ring 37 is seated on the flange 27 of the stem driver ~ ~ -
16. Adjustment stop ring 37 has a stop projection 39 with
stop faces 40 and 41 for contact with the stop faces 42 and
43 of the stop member 44 of the escutcheon 25. This is best `~
seen in Fig. 3. It should also be seen in Fig. 3 that the
stem driver 16 has two opposing stop surfaces 45 and 46 also
for contact with the respective stop surfaces 42 and 43 of
the escutcheon stop member 44, albeit below stop ring 37.
lS Figs. 4 and S illustrate the valve stop assembly 10 in .
conjunction with the pressure balanced mixing valve 11. A -~
valve stem 48 of mixing valve 11 pro~ectq through the stem .
driver 16 in compartment 50, and rotation of the driver
rotates the stem. Connected to the opposite end of the ~
valve stem 48 is a fluid control plate S2 having the usual ~ `
passages 55 and 56 which control the passage of fluid from
the hot and cold water ports 58 and 59 in a car~ridge type
valve body 60. The control plate 52 is rotatably maintained ~ -~
over the valve body ~0 by the flange 61 seated in the cover
63 which is appropriately sealed to the valve houging 64 by
seal 65.
The escutcheon 2S is connected to the mixing valve
by screws, one of which is shown at 66, and threadably -~
engages the valve housing 64. As shown in Fig. S, there
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a space between the mixing valve 1l and a support member 67.
This is for the purpose of providing suitable insulation
(not shown) if desired. Otherwise, the valve cover 63 can
be drawn up snug to the underside of the support member 67.
S Outside temperature limits are afforded by the stop
surfaces 45 and 46 on the stem driver 16 which contact the
stop surfaces 42 and 43 on the escutcheon 25. This contact
limits maximum rotation of the stem 48 and, accordingly, the
amount of rotation of the guide plate passages 55 and 56 -~-
over the valve ports 58 and 59, which ultimately controls
the passage of hot and cold water from the ports 58 and 59.
In a preferred manner, the stop surfaces 45 and 46
provide a rotation of 150 of the control plate 52. It is -
desirable at times (e.gO energy savings, personal
preference) to further control the maximum temperature at
which hot water passes from por~ 58. This is effected by
the stop ring 37 and its adjustable placement on the stem ~-
driver 16 by means of the teeth 36 and 34. Referring
specifically to Fig. 3, it is seen that the stop surface 41
of the maximum temperature control stop ring 37 will contact
the stop surface 42 of the escutcheon before contact with
the stop surface 45 of the stem driver 16 when rotated in a ;
countercloc~wise manner. This limits the extent to which
the passage 55 communicates wi~h the port 58 and,
accordingly, the amount of hot water passing therethrough.
It should be noted that preferably, in all cases, the
cold stop (the most used stop) will be between the face 46 -~
of sturdy driver 16 and stop 43. In normal use, stop 45
will never be used. Thus, the stresses on the ring 37 are
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less and allow for it to be made of a lesser strength
material than driver 16.
Referring to the alternative e~bodiment generally 10A
shown in Figs. 6-8, the same or similar components are
designated with the same reference numerals as for the first ~ .
embodiment, except followed by the letter ~A~. One of the ~
differences between the two embodiments is the stop surfaces ~ -
42A and 43A on a valve cover 70A, rather than on an outer .
escutcheon cover 25. Other differences are the placement of
the stop ring 37A under the stem driver 16A, and the manner ~.
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in which the stem 48A drives the stem driver 16 (which is
effected by the pro~ections 72A and 73~ of the stem 48A `~
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engaging the cut outs 75A and 76A in the stem driver 16A). `
Embodiment 10A also has spring loaded valve seats 80A `-
and 81A in the valve housing 64A as well as seals 65A and
82A between the valve cap 70A and the valve housing 64A and `;
the flange body 84A of the flange 61A. The valve stem 48A .`: -;
is retained on the valve cap 70A by the O-ring 88A engaging .~ .
the stem driver 16A. A suitable handle (not shown) can be
connected to the valve stem 4~A such as by a screw (not
:~ .
shown) engaging the threaded passage 90A. `` :~ ;
Embodiment 10A operates in the same manner as
embodiment 10 with respect to water temperature control and
the uncovering of the ports 58A and 59A in con~unction with
the passages in the control plate 52A such as shown at 55A.
The difference is the contact of the stem driver 16A stop
surfaces 45A and 46A as well as the stop ring stop faces 40A
and 41A with the stop surfaces 42A and 43A of the valve caD :~
70A rather than with the escutcheon 25 in embodiment 10 ~:
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It will therefore be appreciated that water temperature
control is provided far in a rotary type valve wherein a
control ring is easily accessible for adjustment purposes.
All that is required is the removal of a handle such as 14
S for access to the control ring at the top. The ring can
then be selectively replaced to a desired position. Maximum
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rotation af the stem as well as a maximum temperature
control is afforded in a device requiring few part and
which is adaptable for use with a stop which can be
positioned on either an escutcheon or a valve cap. Also the
cold stop and hot 5top tortional forces can be transmitted
through different rings, thereby increasing the life of each
and permitting optimization of each ring. ; ;
Further cost reduction is effected by the stem drivers,
the control rings, the escutcheon and the valve cap all
preferably being composed of a pla~tic material. In the -
instance of the escutcheon, it can be metal coated for
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aesthetic purposes.
Thus, the invention provide~ an improved valve stop
a~sembly. While the preferred embodiments have been
described above, it should be readily apparent to those
skilled in the art that a number of modifications and
changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the Lnvention. For example, while a plumbing val~e
has been shown, the control device can be used with other
types of fluid valves including other types o~ pressure
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compensated mixing valves such as disclosed in U.S. patens ~ ~ ;
3,921,659. ~lso, the specific materials mentioned are no~
the only materials which can be used. In addition, with
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2099~Q9
respect to embodiment lOA, a suitable handle could be
rotata~ly mounted to an escutcheon such as in embodiment 10
rather than the valve stem 48A with a separate piece such as
a stem driver 16 engaging the valve stem 48A to effect ~j:
rotation. All such and other modifications within the
spirit of the .invention are meant to be in the scope of the
invention.
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